Open Letter to Michael Mason: We (Queen's University) Apologize

In a Report issued on September 20, 2012, the Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT) claimed that Queen’s Administration violated your Academic Freedom, “abused their power and acted in disregard of the wellbeing of one of their teaching employees.” It also charged Queen’s with multiple “violations of procedural fairness” against you (Report pp. 15, 17). Last month, the Report was endorsed by Queen’s University Faculty Association (QUFA). In early November, the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), unit 901, representing graduate teaching assistants at Queen’s, issued a public statement charging that alleged complaints made against you were mishandled by the Department of History. Though PSAC 901 has serious differences with the CAUT Report, it agrees that the Department of History "neglected [your] rights outlined in the QUFA Collective Agreement."

Although the Report recommends remedies, including a public letter of apology, Queen’s Administration has flatly refused to respond publicly to this Report, citing jurisdictional technicalities (Queen’s Senate, 30 October 2012). In response to questions from faculty members, it has denied procedural violations (Arts and Science Faculty Board, 12 October 2012). In these actions, Queen’s Administration exposes the University and the Department of History to public and professional censure. It also clearly demonstrates that it cannot and does not represent Queen’s. Queen’s consists of Queen’s academic staff, Queen’s non-academic staff, Queen’s alumni, and Queen’s students. As Queen's University, authorizing ourselves as per article 14.6 of the Collective Agreement, WE apologize to you, Professor Mason.